“Here I am in Rome. What happened in the past is past. Now I am here to keep trying my best in an event that I love so much,” said the world No. 4. “I had some unbelievable memories in this court. A lot of important matches in my career I played here. So just try to be ready for that.”
“Playing against [Nicolas] Almagro tomorrow always gonna be a very hard first round. He’s a great player. Last week in the first, second round, he almost win against Novak. He already won three matches here, if I am not wrong, because he’s coming from the qualifying. For me, is always dangerous. First day after Madrid, different conditions, will be a dangerous one, no?” said Nadal. “I need to be focused. I need to play my best. Let’s see if I am able to do it.”
"I think he’s [Thiem] a great player, no? He’s young enough to keep competing for the important things for the next ten years, probably, or eight years, I don’t know. Depends on him. He has a big potential. Probably his best surface is clay today, and if I have to say one tournament that he can win is Roland Garros, no? So let’s see. Hopefully not this year but let’s see.”
Nadal will play Almagro in his opening round match on Wednesday.
Source: Internazionali BNL d'Italia
Photos: Massimo Insabato/SilverHub
• Press conference
• Rafa signs autographs